During the last interview with Rider's Ryan Thompson on the Spurscast (click HERE to listen to the interview) Thompson gave us a few names of other players he worked out with during his second work out with the San Antonio Spurs before the 2010 NBA Draft:

• Lance Stephenson from Cincinnati
• Landry Fields from Stanford
• Demond "Tweety" Carter from Baylor
• Ben Uzoh from Tulsa

Aside from Fields, who is a small-forward, all other players are guards.  But who are these players the Spurs recently worked out? Here is a quick look at these players:

Stephenson is a 6'5" shooting-guard who averaged 12.3 points, shot 44% from the field, shot 21.9% from the three-point line and was 66.4% from the free-throw line in 2009-2010 season with Cincinnati.

Fields is a 6'7" small-forward who averaged 22 points, shot 49% from the field, shot 33.7% from the three-point line and was 69.6% from the free-throw line in 2009-2010 season with Stanford.

Carter is a 5'11" guard who averaged 15 points, shot 43% from the field, shot 38% from the three-point line and was 77% from the free-throw line in 2009-2010 season with Baylor.

Uzoh is from San Antonio and we recently had a post on him. For more on Uzoh click HERE.

The most glaring need for the Spurs is a center. However, one thing which has been very telling is the Spurs have been working out mostly guards. This is could be a sign the team feels confident Tiago Splitter is coming to the Spurs to fill the need for a big and that the team still doesn't feel quite comfortable at the guard position.

When you think of global basketball powers you might automatically think the U.S.A., Argentina, or Spain but not Canada.  Well Canada, you're in luck! Why? Because San Antonio Spurs' forward Matt Bonner is trying to get his Canadian citizenship in time to play in Turkey at the World Championship this summer.

Bonner, the once Toronto Raptor, fell in love with the country and is trying to get Canadian citizenship in time to play with team Canada for the World Championships in Turkey this summer. Here is what Canadian Men's National Team coach, Leo Rautins, had to say about Bonner:

In his two seasons as a Raptor (2004-05, 2005-06) Bonner fell in love with Canada, Toronto, curling (honestly) and a Canadian woman. The couple have married and Bonner's trying to get Canadian citizenship in time to play in Turkey.

"He's dying to play and we're keeping our fingers crossed," says Rautins of Bonner, who averaged 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds for the Spurs last season.

Should Bonner get his citizenship in time for the World Championships in Turkey, he would join Miami Heat forward Joel Anthony, possibly Jamaal Magloire, and son of Canada's coach, Andy Rautins, of Syracuse.  

Native Canadian Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns is doubtful to play for Canada in Turkey but who needs a two-time MVP when the possibility of Bonner playing for Canada should make other competing teams quiver in fear.

In past summers, other Spurs played for their home country such as Tony Parker for France and Manu Ginobili for Argentina and it caused great concern for Spurs fans.  Granted I know he is a free-agent but I am sure Spurs fans will be just as upset over Bonner possibly playing for Canada in the summer instead of resting. Right Spurs fans? Hello? Why am I hearing laughter? 

Late last season, the San Antonio Spurs brought in Garrett Temple from the NBDL's Rio Grande Vipers to help fill the void left at the guard position when Tony Parker and George Hill were injured.

Many Spurs fans were scratching their heads and wondering who was this new guy.  As soon as Temple got playing time, he left Spurs fans cheering for him after he had impressive games. In his first start as a Spur, he finished with 15 points, four assists and three rebounds. Not too shabby for a first-time starter.

In an recent interview with Christopher Gordy of TigerWeekly.com, Temple reflected on his first season with the Spurs.

Temple on Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich:

"He's the best coach I've ever had the pleasure to play for," said Temple. "He knows so much about the game of basketball and you're always learning new things when you're around him."

Temple on the difference between the regular season and the playoffs:

"You can really see how much the intensity increases in the playoffs," said Temple. "We had just played the Dallas Mavericks at the end of the regular season, and when we played them days later in the playoffs, it was a different intensity."

Temple on his attitude for next season:

"I'm just ready to get back out there and prove what I can do again."

According to Temple, he will be back with the Spurs and has already been working out in San Antonio and will play for the Summer League team.  To read the complete interview with Temple, click HERE.

If you were ever curious as to what a pre-NBA draft workout with the San Antonio Spurs is like,well you have to listen to this special edition of the Spurscast.

On this episode of the Spurscast, Mike and I welcome back Ryan Thompson from Rider University.  In this interview, we follow up with Ryan on his second workout with the San Antonio Spurs.

We ask Ryan about differences in the second workout with the Spurs from his first, how he copes with the traveling, the sit-down interview with the Spurs, which other NBA teams he is going to workout with next and much more!

It was interesting to hear Ryan worked out with shooting-guard Lance Stephenson from Cincinnati, small-forward Landry Fields from Stanford, guard Demond "Tweety" Carter from Baylor and point-guard Ben Uzoh from Tulsa.  See a pattern here? Mostly guards.

We would like to thank Ryan for taking time out of his busy schedule to join us and give all Spurs fans an inside look at what a work out with the Spurs is really like. Make sure to follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ryt5.

Best of luck to Ryan in the upcoming NBA Draft!

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During the press-conference introducing Monty Williams as the new head-coach of the New Orleans Hornets, he made it a point to thank the San Antonio Spurs and Gregg Popovich for giving him his first steps into coaching.

But how did it all begin?  Well with no pay, sweat-soaked towels, and sweeping.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich saw it too. When chronic knee injuries forced Williams to retire in 2003, Popovich offered him a notebook, a chair and a spot in the corner of the team's practice facility. There Williams could observe workouts, evaluate players and learn about life as an NBA coach.

Williams expanded his duties to include chasing down loose balls, picking up sweat-soaked towels, sweeping the practice courts and breaking down videotape. At first, he was paid nothing, but the experience was invaluable.

"I didn't have a title," Williams said. "I did whatever they needed me to do. It was the best time of my life. I loved it."

The labor of love in San Antonio allowed Williams to catch the eye of Portland coach Nate McMillian, who offered a spot as an assistant in 2005.

Many in the NBA owe the Spurs and Popovich thanks. From Sam Presti with the Oklahoma Thunder, to Steve Kerr with the Phoenix Suns, and many others and now Monty Williams can be added to this list of the Spurs-Popovich coaching tree.

Click HERE for the complete article.

Recently, the San Antonio Spurs worked out Manny Harris from Michigan. While at Michigan, Harris led the Wolverines in nearly every offensive category, averaging 18.1 points per game.

He even says he patterns his game and is said to look like Spurs' guard George Hill.  I don't see the physical resemblance to Hill but I will leave it up to you to be the judge.

Harris already has worked out for San Antonio and Houston. He patterns his game after the Spurs' George Hill and even resembles Hill.

Aside from averaging 18.1 points per game, Harris shot 42.1% from the field, 30.8% from the three-point line, 80% from the free-throw line, and 4.1 assists.

Harris was suspended due to an incident while in practice this past January. He was later reinstated by Michigan coach John Beilein. Harris did make a public apology for his suspension.

With the 2010 NBA Draft nearing, the San Antonio Spurs are one of the most agressive teams trying to move up in the draft according to ESPN's Chad Ford (via DailyThunder.com):

Per sources in the league, the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder have all had discussions about moving up, down or out of the draft.

The Pistons, Spurs and Thunder have been the most aggressive about moving up.

The Spurs and Thunder are also in the hunt for a big and have targeted a number of teams in the lottery to move up a few spots.

The Spurs have Tony Parker or George Hill. While the Spurs aren’t necessarily shopping either player, they’re not untouchable either. If the Spurs can get another big man to help prolong Tim Duncan’s career, they’ll do it.

The Spurs have already spoken with Georgia Tech's Derrick Favors during the NBA Draft combine in Chicago.  Though it will take a lot for the Spurs to give up to move into the top four slots in the draft to get Favors even with the Philadelphia 76ers open to trading their number two pick.

Also, if the team is looking at a big in the draft then is this a sign the team isn't 100% sure Brazilian center Tiago Splitter will be coming to play for the Spurs next season?

San Antonio Spurs' point-guard, Tony Parker, is again involved in trade rumors involving the New York Knicks.

Last month, it was reported Parker would welcome a move to the Knicks. However, Parker denied any rumblings he would welcome the move and publicly stated he wants to remain a Spur.

Well here we go again! The following is from Newsday.com:

According to several sources, the Spurs may be downplaying trade rumors involving Tony Parker, but they are clearly ready to consider moves. The franchise committed to Manu Ginobili and have George Hill as a built-in replacement, which has made Parker expendable. But at what cost?

The Knicks would love to get a deal done before July 1 as an attention-grabber for free agents, but it might take the rights to David Lee in a sign-and-trade to get the Spurs talking. If that’s the case, it couldn’t happen until after July 1, because, as a one-year contract player, Lee can’t be signed to an extension.

Parker is an obvious target. His offensive skills, which are very close to Steve Nash (though Parker gets to the rim much better than Nash), make him a perfect fit for Mike D’Antoni’s system.

On this episode of the Spurscast Mike and I are joined by special guest, Humberto "Humbie" Cervera, of San Antonio's WOAI TV.

In this episode we talk about the latest Tony Parker trade rumor and state whether he will be in a San Antonio Spurs' jersey next season. We also talk about the many college players the Spurs have worked out and what it means come NBA Draft day.

Mike and I try to get Humbie to wear a crazy suit a la Craig Sager, Humbie gives an interesting "fact" about sexy women and their cooking, we "compliment" Mike on his red sneakers, and much more!

Thanks to Humbie for taking time to join us and don't forgot to check out his blog at WOAI by clicking HERE.  Oh and to see Mike's glorious red sneakers click HERE!

The Spurscast! The first and original Spurs podcast!

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Music by Rush.

As the 2010 NBA Draft nears, the San Antonio Spurs have been working out players at a fever pitch.  One player they worked out was Memphis' Elliot Williams.  It was during this work out where Williams suffered a knee injury and has dropped out of sight and has ignored other invitations from other NBA teams for a work out.

However, according to the commercialappeal.com, some speculate the Spurs have given Williams a promise to draft him if he is still available at the 20th pick when the Spurs draft:

Some have speculated that Williams received a promise from the Spurs that they would use the No. 20 pick on him if he's still available. Others wonder if Williams is perhaps more injured than he's letting on, though those in direct contact with the Williams camp insist he's fine ...

Williams is a 6'4" shooting guard who averaged 17.9 points, 3.8 assists, shot 45.9% from the field and 36.6% from the three-point line.